Automatic boat pumping device



Jan. 6, 1953 w. w. HERRlcK ETAL 2,624,305

AUTOMATIC BOAT PUMPING DEVICE Filed oct. e, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 46 E w,M l Will/m7111114 /4 Inventor Will/bm n. Herrick James E. Herrick y@www WWW me):

Jam 6, l953 w. w. HERRlcK ETA. 2,624,305'

AUTOMATIC BOAT PUMPING DEVICE Filed Oct. 6 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2Inventor Wil/121m W. Herrick James' E Herrick By m23 muy Hmm PatentedJan. 6, 1953 AUTOMATIC BOAT PUMPING DEVICE William W. Herrick and JamesE. Herrick, Stamford, Conn.

Application October 6, 1947, Serial No. 778,100

11 Claims.

This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in an automaticboat pumping device, and more specifically pertains to a bailing .pumpfor boats which is automatically operable by the rocking motion of 'aboat to pump the water from the bilge thereof.

The principal object of this invention resides in providing a means forautomati-cally discharging leakage and other water accumulating rin thebilge of a boat by means of a rocking motion of the boat, howeverslight.

The invention is characterized by the provision of a combined pump andpump actuating mechanism unit which may be readily applied to variousconstructions of boats and which is oper-r able by the rocking motion ofa boat to automatically discharg-e water accumulating in the bilgethereof.

A further feature of the invention resides in providing an improvedconstruction of pump .actuating mechanism which is especially sensitiveand susceptible to a very slight rolling or rocking motion -of the boatfor effecting the intended pumping operation.

Yet another feature of the invention resides in providing an improvedconstruction of pump, in conjunction with the above mentioned operatingmechnaism, wherein the operating eiiiciency of the pump is greatlyincreased and the effectiveness of the device as a Whole is therebyaugmented.

Further features of the invention, together with other objects, willlater become lapparent as the following description proceeds, and are-attained by this device, the preferred embodiment of which has beenillustrated, by Way of example only in the accompanying drawings,wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical transverse sectional view lthrough the hull of aboat of suitable construc- 'pum-p and pump-actuating unit;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view, parts beingshown in elevation, of the novel pump forming a part of this invention;

Figure 5 is a side elevational View, parts being shown in section of amodied construction of the pump and actuator; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View of a portion of theembodiment of Fig-V ure 5. Y

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings, whereinlike numerals desig.V

nate similar parts throughout the various views, attention is directedrst to Figures 1 and 2 wherein there is disclosed at Ill a portion ofthe hull of a boat which may be of any suitable construction, size ortype, and which is preferably provided with a platform I2 beneath whichis disposed a bilge I4 below the platform and 4above the inclined hullI6 of the boat. As indicated at I8, the bilge is shaped and adapted -toretain at the vlower portion thereof a quantity of water I8 whichaccumulates therein either by seepage, by rain, or the like.

In accordance with the principles of this invention, a combined pump andpump actuating i. unit, indicated generally at 20, is mounted in anysuitable position preferably upon the platform I2 and disposed in anyconvenient and unobtrusive space.v Connected to the pumping unit 20 is aconduit 22 which constitutes the intake and discharge line of the pumpand which is connected at its other extremity of a T-shaped couplingmember 24, Aas shown in Figure 2, and which is mounted in any suitablemanner in the bilge of the boat.

The coupling member 24 i-s provided at its lower extremity with ahousing 26 detachably connected thereto, which housing encasesa ballcheck valve 28 cooperating with a valve port or seat 30 formed withinthe casing member 26 while an inlet opening 32 is disposed in the lowerend of the casing. Preferably, the valve inlet casing 26, or if desired,a tail pipe -or other suction inlet extension thereof is positionedadjacent the lowermost vportion of the bilge and immersed in any wateri8 accumulating in the hull of the-boat.

At its upper extremity, the T-shaped connecting member 2.4 detachablyreceives a housing 34 forming a casing within which i-s seated va ballcheck valve 35 cooper-ating with a valve seat or port Sii. As will benoted, -both of the valves are closed when in their lowermost positionand open when raised from their seats.

The valve casing 34 constituting a valve outlet or discharge casing ofthe device is detachabli7 engaged by a flexible or other conduit 40Whose outer extremity extends through or over any suitable -portion ofthe hull I0 of the boat, for discharging the liquid I8 from the bilgeexteriorly from the hull of the boa-t.

The pump and operating mechanism unit 20 is preferably formed of .a baseor head plate 42 which may be anchored in any suitable manner to theplatform I2, such, for example, as by the fastening means 44 extendingtherethrough, this base plate having an upwardly extending boss or lug46 provided with a recess or slot within which is seated a flexible leafspring 48 constituting a pendulum, and retained as by a fastening meansEil. As shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 3, th

base plate at its opposite side relative to the pendulum 48 is providedwith parallel, upwardly extending, preferably integral side walls orextensions 52 and 54, having angularly disposed end portions 56, andcomprising a pair of shields or guard members partially surrounding thepump and its operating mechanism to be now setforth.

Detachably secured in the side wall 54 is a tubular bushing 58externally screw-'threaded and secured adjustably -to the side wall asby exterior and interior fastening and locking nuts 60 and 52,respectively. The outer extremity f this tubular bushing is detachablyengaged by the above mentioned conduit'22, while the other end of thebushing is formed with an integral annular flange 64 which is embracedby a tubular, cylindrical bellows E6. This bellows may be attached tothe' flange in any suitable manner as by welding, brazing or thelike,and as shown in'Figure 4has itsfother end secured to an annular'flange'f 68 from which extends inwardly of the bellows 66 a cylindrical,cup-shaped member 10. The member 'It vmay be of any suitable sizeandYconstruction, and in the interest of economy vof con'- struction, maybe of sheet metal.

An axially extending boss 'i2 is attached to the bottom of the cavity ofthe member 1D and is internally'threaded to detachably receive the ter'-minal of .a push rod i4, this terminal being enn ternally threaded andof reduced diameter as shown'at 16. The'outerend of push rod I4 has athreaded cavity 1S. Thelatter is detachablysecured as by a fasteningmeans S5 to the pendulum 481 intermediate theends thereof, whereby, whenthe pendulum is oscillated as indicatedin dotted linesin Figure 2, thebellows '65 may befalternate'- ly compressed and expanded, with aresultant increase and decrease in the contained volume. During. thisexpansion and contraction of the bellows, free communication isestablished between the bellows, conduit 22 and fitting 24, whereby analternate suction and compression is created in the fitting 24.

.This sucking and pumping action in conduit 22'is communicated to thevalve casings 25'and 34, whereby on the suction stroke, the valve-3B'yis maintained on its seat while' the valve 2B is lifted and water isdrawn in through the inlet port 32 intothe casings 26 andv 24. On thecompression stroke ofthe pump, valve 28 is urged to itsseat whilevalveis, lifted and the fluid entrapped in the casing 25 and the T-shapedcoupling 24 is forced upwardly through the discharge pipe 49. Obviously,a continuation of this operation results in. discharging theaccumulation of water I3 from thebilge of the boat.

Suitably securedto the upper end of the spring leaf pendulum 4t is aweight Si! of any suitable construction and attached in any suitablemanner, this weight having `a resilient buffer B2, such as. spongerubber or the like, suitably secured thereto for a purpose to be now setforth. Preferably, the'mass ofthe weight 8| and the stiffness of theflexible leaf spring pendulum 48 is such that when the hull of the boatis stationary, the inverted pendulum consisting of the mastl and stem 43will be in its perpendicular, full line position shown in Figure 2.However, upon the slightest rolling of the boat or inclination of thesupport upon which the device is mounted, the mast 8| will be inclinedtoone of the dotted line positions 84 or 36, thereby oscillating theiiexible pendulum correspondingly, and thus causing ex pansion orcontraction of the bellows pump. As the pendulum approaches the end ofits oscilladictates;

tion, the buffer B2 strikes one of the guard members..52..or 54, therebystopping the. stroke of the pendulum and causing, by this rebound of thebuffer, the return of the pendulum.

It will be apparent that the parts may readily be so proportioned thatthe inverted pendulum will be very sensitive to the slightestinclination of the boat to thereby operate the pump; but obviouslysupplementary spring means may be employed to assist in returning thependulum to its neutral4 position, to assist in effecting the rebound ofthe pendulum, and in distending the bellows to its expandedsposition, ifdesired.

In order to increase the effective compression pressure of the pump, thecup-shaped member 'I0 serves to diminish the dead air or` residualvolume in the bellows, and to increasethe ratio of the change in volume-to the minimum volume of the pump, tothereby increase its effectivepressure.

It has been known heretofore that weighted pendulums can be employed tooperate a pump for discharging theaccumulation of water in the bil'geofa boat; but such devices have generally been ineffective in that lthependulum waslimited in theamplitude of its stroke by the extent ofrolling of the boat. In the present embodiment, the pendulum is assuredof a large stroke if 'the inclination of the boat is shifted enough tocause any movement of the pendulum at all.

It; will be noted that the guards or shields 52 and 54 serve the dualfunction of enclosing the pump and'its operating mechanism and also oflimiting Ythe operative stroke of the pendulum.

Moreoven the construction is such thata self#- contained unitary pumpand'operating mechanism has been provided which may be readilypositioned at various places in a boat as convenience Moreover, althoughthe Vdevice has been shown as applied to a boat, it is'obviousvthat itmaybe employed upon any suitablesupport or'platform whereby the tiltingthereof is desired to be utilized to constitute the motive power forOperating the pump.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there is disclosed a modified form ofthe pump and actuator unit. A supporting base I, preferably metallic, isprovidedwith a flange |02 to which is detachably secured, as byfastening vscrews |04, a flexible leaf spring pendulum member |66. Apendulum bobor weight |08 Aof any suitable construction is secured tothe-upperend of the member |06 and Aone satisfactory construction mayembody a pair of weightssecuredto opposite sides of member'l D8 by afastening bolt I I2. If desired, this bolt can extend through alongitudinal slot in member |06 to adjust the bob |08 with respectthereto. Obviously, numerous vequivalent weight fastening and/oradjusting means could be utilized without departing from the scope ofthe inventive concept.

The base 4Il is Vfurther provided with an upstanding wall ||4 which hasan outwardly and angularly disposed Vflange Vi'I apertured as at I8. Anarcuate guide rod IZB is reciprocable through yaperture I8 and isterminally adjustably secured to member Iil by lock nuts |22 onopposite-sides of said member, adjustably threaded upon rod 2E. As the`pendulum oscillates about its fastening flange |52, it is guided andrestrained to curvilinear reciprocation by movement of rod |20 inaperture H8, and the amplitude of oscillation is regulated by adjustablebuffers or cushions |24, each adjustably secured, as by. nuts |25, on anappropriate screw threaded-portion |23 of rod IN;

The buers |24 are positioned on opposite sides of the ilange I6 whichconstitutes a stop for the pendulum. The engagement of the resilientbuffers therewith not only limits the pendulum oscillation but alsogives a rebound impulse to the pendulum on its return stroke. Obviously,a pair of coil springs or any other resilient buffer construction couldbe sub-stituted for the members Conveniently and detachably mounted onthe inner surface of wall H4 as by bolts |30 is the pump unit,consisting of a pair of rings |32 and |34 of any suitable shape such asannular, between which is secured a flexible diaphragm |36 having aclamping plate |33 secured thereto. A bolt |49 detachably assembles thediaphragm and plate and removably unites this assembly to a pump rod|42. The rod has a diametrical b-ore |44 and is loosely received in andextends through an aperture MS in the pendulum spring (i6. For quicklydetachable and sliding engagement, a cotter pin |48 or similar fastenerstraddles the leaf spring -S and extends through bore |413, therebyretaining the push rod and pendulum in operative engagement. rThiscotter pin securing means can of co-urse be utilized with the embodimentof Figures 1-4 in place of the elements 18 and 80.

A pump chamber l5@ is thus formed between the wall H4, ring 32 anddiaphragm |35, this chamber being in continuous open communication withthe above mentioned conduit 22 by means of the tubular boss |52.

The modified form of unit is employed in the same assembly set forthabove and functions in a similar manner.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the principles of the inventionare adapted to a variety of uses and may be employed in diverse ways,and accordingly it is not intended to limit the invention to the exactconstruction shown and described, but all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having described the invention, what claimed as new is:

l. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailercomprising a pump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member,conduit means communicating said pump to the interior of the bilge andto the eX- terior of the hull during its intake and delivery strokesrespectively, an operating means oscillatable in a vertical plane inresponse to the rocking of the hull, means connecting said operatingmeans to said actuating member for imparting positive substantiallyrectilinear horizontal reciprocation in both directions toy saidYactuating member upon oscillation of said operating means, saidoperating means comprising an inverted pendulum xedly anchored at itslower end, said connecting means engaging the shaft of said pendulum.

`r2. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailercomprising a. pump having a horizontal, reciprocating Yactuating member,conduit means communicating said pump to the interior of the bilge andto the exterior of the hull during its intake and delivery strokesrespectively, an operating means oscillatabie inra vertical plane inresponse to the rocking of the hull, means connecting said operatingmeans to said actuating member for imparting positive substantiallyrectilinear horizontal reciprocation in both directions to saidactuating member upon oscillation vof said operating means,

saidV operating means comprising an inverted pendulum fixedly anchoredat its lower end, said connecting means engaging the shaft of saidpendulum, the shaft of said pendulum comprising a strip of iexiblespring material.

3. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailercomprising a pump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member,conduit means communicating said pump to the interior ci the bilge andto the exterior of the hull during its intake and delivers7 strokesrespectively, an operating means osciliatable in a vertical plane inresponse to the rock ing of the hull, means connecting said operatingmeans to said actuating member for imparting positive substantiallyrectilinear horizontal reciprocation lin both directions to saidactuating member upon oscillation of said operating means, saidoperating means being rigidly secured to and supported by the hull at aposition which is later ally remote from the longitudinal axis of thehull whereby said operating means will be subjected to the maximumrocking effect of the hull.

4. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailercomprising a pump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member,conduit means communicating said pump to the interior Vof the bilge andto the exterior of the hull during its intake and delivery strokesrespectively, an operating means oscillatable in a vertical plane inresponse to the rocking of the hull, means connecting said oper atingmeans to said actuating member for imparting positive substantiallyrectilinear horizontal reciprocation in both directions to saidactuating member upon oscillation of said operating means, saidoperating means comprising an inverted pendulum nxedly anchored at itslower end, said connecting means engaging the shaft of said pendulum,the shaft of said per dulum comprising a strip of flexible spring ma'-terial, said operating means being rigidly secured to and supported bythe hull at a position which is laterally remote from the longitudinalaxis of the hull whereby said operating means will be subjected 'to themaximum rocking effect of the hull.

5. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailercomprising a pump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member,conduit means communicating said pump tothe interior of the bilge and tothe exterior of the hull during its intake and delivery strokesrespectively, an operating means oscillatable in a vertical plane inresponse to the rock-ing of the hull, means connecting said cper atingmeans to' said actuating member for ime parting positive substantially'rectilinear horizontal reciprocation in both directions to saidactuating member upon oscillation of said oper'- ating means, a stopmember carried by and movable with said operating means and limiting theoscillation of the latter in opposite directions'.

6. In combination witha boat hull having a `Vbilge, an automatic bailercomprising apump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member',conduit means communicating said pump to the interior of the bilge andto the exterior of the. hull during its intake and delivery strokesrespectively, an operating .means oscil- Aiataoie in a vertical piane inresponse to the rocking of the hull, means connecting said operatingmeans to said actuating member for imparting positive substantiallyrectilinear horizontal reciprccationin both directions to said 7aotuatir-1gi mem-ber4 upon oscillation ofY said operating means, a stopmember carriedby and movable with said operating meansgand limiting theoscillation of the latter in opposite directions, said stop memberincluding a rod extending laterally from said operating means, a pair ofspaced abutment members on said rod, a nxed abutment disposed betweenand alternately engageable by said spaced abutments.

7. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailercomprising a pump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member,conduit means communicating said pump to the interior of the bilge andto the exterior or" the hull during its intake and delivery strokesrespectively, an operating means oscillatable in a vertical plane inresponse to the rocking of the hull, means connecting said operatingmeans to said actuating member for imparting positive substantiallyrectilinear horizontal reciprocation in both directions to saidactuating member upon oscillation of said operating means, a U-shapedsupporting bracket having a pair of upstanding legs, said pumpv and saidoperating means being each supported by one of said legs.

8. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailercomprising a pump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member,conduit means communicating said .pump to the interior of the bilge andto the exterior of the hull during its intake and delivery strokesrespectively, an operating means oscillatable in a vertical plane inresponse to the rocking of the hull, means connecting saidoperatingmeans to said actuating member for imparting positive substantiallyrectilinear horizontal reciprocation inboth directions to said actuatingmember upon oscillation of saidoperating means, a U-shaped supportingbracket having a pair oi' upstanding legs, said pump andksaid operatingmeans being each supported by one of said legs, said legs being ofunequal length, a fixed abutment carried by the longer leg, a stopmember `carried by said operating means and cooperating with said fixedabutment to limit oscillation in opposite directions of said operatingmeans.

9. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailercomprising a pump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member,conduit means communicating said pump to the interior of the bilge andto the exterior of the hull during its intake and deliveryl strokesrespectively, an operating means oscillatable in a vertical planeinresponse to the rocking of the hull, means connecting said operatingmeans to said actuating member for imparting positive substantiallyrectilinearhorizontal reciprocation in bothv directions to saidactuating member upon oscillation of said operating means, a U-shapedsupporting bracket having a pair of upstanding legs, said pump and saidoperating means being each supported by one of said legs, said legsbeing of unequal length, a fixed abutment carried by the longer leg, astop member carried by said operating means and cooperating withV saidxed .abutment to limit oscillation in opposite directions of saidoperating means, said stop member including a rod extending laterallyfrom said operating means and having a pair of spaced abutment membersthereon disposed on opposite sides of Ysaid xed abutment and foralternate engagement with the latter.

10. In combination with a boathull having a bilge, an automatic bailercomprising a pump having 4 ahorizontal, reciprocating actuating member,conduit means communicating said pumpv to the interior of the bilge andto the exterior-of the hull during its intake and delivery strokesrespectively, an operating means oscillatable in a vertical plane inresponse to the rocking of the hull, means connecting said operatingmeans to said actuating member for irnparting positive substantiallyrectilinear horizontal reciprocation in both directions to saidactuating member upon oscillation of said operating means, a U-shapedsupporting bracket having a pair of upstanding legs, said pump and said,operating means being each supported by one of said legs, said legsVbeing of unequal length, a xed abutment carried by the longer leg, astop member carried by said operating means and cooperating With saidnxed abutment .to limit oscillation in opposite directions of saidoperating means, said stop fixed abutment comprising an angularlydisposed projecting ilange on said longer leg.

11. In combination with a boat hull having a bilge, an automatic bailercomprising a pump having a horizontal, reciprocating actuating member,conduit means communicating said pump to the interior of the bilge andto the exterior of the hull during its intake and de livery strokesrespectively, an operating means oscillatable in a vertical plane Vinresponse to the rockingV of the hull, means connecting said operatingmeans to said actuating member for imparting positive substantiallyrectilinear horizontal reciprocation in both directions to saidactuating member upon oscillation of said operating means, a U-shapedsupporting bracket havingA a pair of upstandinglegs, said pump and saidoperating means being each supportedby one of said legs, said legs beingof unequal length, a xed abutment carried by the longer leg, a y stopmember carried by said operating means and cooperating With said fixedabutment to limit oscillation in opposite directions of said operatingmeans, said stop member including a rod extending laterally from saidoperating means and having a pair of spaced abutment members thereondisposed on opposite sides of said xed abutment and for alternateengagement with the latter, said xed abutment comprising an angularlydisposed projecting flange on said Alonger leg, said flange beingapertured andv embracing said rod.

' WILLIAM W. HERRICK.

JAMES E. HERRICK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED VS'IA'I'ES PATENTS Number

